Monroe's Melvin Garcia signed a professional contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo: denis gostev

There is a framed photo in Melvin Garcia’s room dating back five years. In the picture, he is wearing the Toronto Blue Jays colors – blue, black, graphite and silver with a blue jay coming out of the hat – for his summer team, the Long Island Blue Jays.

One day soon, he may be back in that same uniform – only this time for good.

Garcia, the James Monroe standout center fielder, turned pro Friday, inking a deal with Toronto, who took him in the 33rd round of the First-Year Player Draft June 9.

“I feel fantastic,” said the 18-year-old Bronx native who batted .456 with three home runs, 28 runs scored and 13 RBIs for the Bronx A East-champion Eagles this spring. “It’s a huge step, one of the first steps of many.”

Sources with knowledge of the contract told The Post Garcia’s signing bonus was well above slot, meaning it was higher than what a player taken on the third day in that round general receives. In fact it was the amount generally given to a player in the top eight rounds, sources said. Garcia declined to offer details on the contract, other than to say his college – he was set to attend Wharton Community College in Texas, a top JUCO – was being paid for.

“The amount of money was just right,” he said.

The same sources said the 6-foot Garcia’s stock fell because of his asking price. His mother, Marisol, said they were given poor advice, such as contract demands, by an advisor she didn’t want to name.

“That hurt him a lot,” Marisol Garcia said.

The Blue Jays, however, weren’t scared off, and took a gamble. Area scout Michael Pesce said the organization liked Garcia because he played, looked, and acted like a “baseball player,” a speedy, strong-armed outfielder with a quick bat that promised to improve.

“We’re glad to have him signed and get him out there and play,” Pesce said. “We think he’s gonna do well.”

The one question with Garcia was his bat; he didn’t have an overly impressive junior year and has struggled at the plate at times. But Monroe coach Mike Turo said his star pupil hits well against elite pitching, a notion he backed up in the Scouts Showcase at American Legion Field in Brooklyn May 23. Against the area’s best arms, he had three hits and a home run.

“He hits better against good competition,” Turo said.

Garcia is thrilled to start his professional career. It will begin with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays June 26, the day after he graduates from Monroe. Marisol Garcia said her son always talked about making the major leagues from a young age. Now, he is a step closer.

“Toronto told me they see a lot of potential in me, and if I have so much potential, why use it in college?” he said. “I feel like I’m part of something big, getting paid to play baseball. I’m gonna go there hungry and humble.”